“Ignore the noise; be guided by the research,” advised Jane Bryant Quinn, the Emmy Award-winning commentator on personal finance who was the keynote speaker at our beautiful Spring Luncheon on May 24. It was a festive event! Held at the Greenwich Country Club, the luncheon drew over 140 guests and garnered $113,500 to support the work of the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch while savoring Ms. Quinn’s savvy, clear-eyed perspective on topics ranging from 21st century investment strategies and how to make your money last through retirement, to getting the most out of your health and life insurance.

It was clear Ms. Quinn is a big fan of index funds, treasuries and having a cash reserve. “All the rest are frills!” she said. And if you’re worried that the market will be impacted by the drama in Washington, relax. “Scandals rarely change the economy beneath them.” Other words of wisdom were to be sure to invest in long term care insurance, be sure to get “un-conflicted financial advice” (e.g. not from a broker whose main goal is to make commissions), and to think long term. Jane Bryant Quinn peppered her delivery with lots of humor and tales from the front. It was a win-win.